Miami have been the surprise packet of the NBA playoffs and defied all odds by clawing their way up from the play-in tournament.
People are really starting to take notice, especially after Miami beat Boston 123-116 on their home court in Game 1 to give themselves a significant series advantage.
Big man Bam Adebayo dropped a cryptic message to reporters after the game.
“I feel like we’re, like you said, one of the best teams in the league just because adversity built us,” Adebayo said. “We all looked at each other in the face and said in the second Play-In game, ‘This is our last run. This is it.’ From there I think everybody just bought in to that will and I feel like we just been willing wins.”
It is interesting that Adebayo says the team is thinking it’s their “last run”, which makes it seems like there will be some big changes coming over the summer.
Unless, he means it in a figurative way and they have been using the mindset as motivation.
It will be definitely be Udonis Haslem’s last season but as for anyone else, that remains to be seen.
Remarkably, Miami have league-high of nine undrafted players in their 17-man roster. Players like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Haslem.
Many are playing with a chip on their shoulder after being overlooked by other franchises.
Haslem is now one 0f the greatest Heat players of all time, but he was once undrafted.
“I think organizations are doing a better job of doing their homework and not just assuming, because a guy didn’t get drafted, that he can’t help you win,” Haslem said. “You can’t measure character or discipline or accountability at the draft combine, and a lot of those things sometimes get overlooked.
“I take it personally when an undrafted guy comes here,” he said. “I want them to be successful because I feel like that’s a piece of my legacy.”